Fife MSP welcomes move by Scottish Government to amend funding support criteria for taxi drivers

The comments from Scottish Labour economy spokesperson Alex Rowley came after Unite Scotland welcomed the decision by the Scottish Government to address the major issues surrounding the £1,500 taxi drivers grant.

Taxi and private hire drivers who have received state benefits at any time since March last year will now be eligible for a £1,500 business support grant as long as they meet the remaining criteria.Councils will start contacting eligible drivers this week to brief them on their potential entitlement.

Mr Rowley, Scottish Labour economy spokesperson, said: “I am very glad to see that the SNP government has listened to the constructive criticism of Unite and Scottish Labour and has amended its support package so that the taxi drivers in the most precarious financial state do not miss out on this vital help.”

However, the trade union has urged the Scottish Government to ensure that any taxi driver in receipt of state benefits would not be penalised for receiving the grant through the use of top-up welfare powers, while assurances are sought with the Department for Work and Pensions.

In Scotland, it is estimated that there are over 37,000 taxi driver and private hire licenses in Scotland with many of the drivers having minimal or no access to government support schemes.

An online survey of over 200 taxi drivers released in December 2020 by Unite Scotland highlighted that many drivers are regularly working 16-17-hour days with a shift being determined as having been ‘good’ if £50 is cleared. The survey also showed that 30% of drivers have been unable to access any financial help from government support schemes.

Unite Scottish Secretary, Pat Rafferty, said: “It’s welcomed that the Scottish Government has listened to Unite and removed the eligibility restriction. The announcement will provide reassurance and much needed financial assistance for many, in particular, those most in need. It’s vital that no driver is penalised when applying for the grant and to this end the Scottish Government must use their welfare top-up powers if needs be to ensure that this is the case, while continuing to press the Department of Work and Pensions for these assurances."

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